Universities of Tennessee, Pittsburgh To Honor Coach Johnny Majors

/in , /by

The Universities of Tennessee and Pittsburgh will pay tribute to a shared gridiron icon as the two programs announced the game’s designation as the Johnny Majors Classic, named in honor of the late legendary head coach and player.

“Honoring Johnny Majors in this way creates another really special and unique element to an already-special season as we celebrate Neyland Stadium’s centennial,” says Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “I appreciate Pittsburgh’s partnership on this. It will be a memorable day for the Majors family as well as fans of both schools who appreciate Johnny Majors’ hall of fame legacy.”

The first meeting between the two teams since 1983 will celebrate Majors’ legacy with in-game festivities. In addition, Johnny Majors Classic apparel will be available for purchase. The two programs will reciprocate the event on Sept. 10, 2022, when they meet at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

“We are honored to join the University of Tennessee in celebrating the life of Coach Johnny Majors,” says Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. “Beyond the victories, Coach Majors made such a huge impact on the lives of his players. That’s his greatest legacy and the University of Pittsburgh is incredibly proud to be part of it. We look forward to being with the Majors family when we visit in September.”

Majors, who passed away in Knoxville on June 3, 2020 at the age of 85, served two tenures as head coach at Pitt from 1973-76 and 1993-96. He spent 16 seasons as head coach of his alma mater of Tennessee from 1977-92. In total, he produced a 185-137-10 record in 29 seasons of coaching.

“Coach Majors was synonymous with Tennessee football and that has become even more apparent to me in my short time in Knoxville,” says Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel. “It’s only appropriate that the two programs he impacted the most will honor him with a game in his namesake, and we are proud to take part in it.”

A 1987 inductee of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame as a player, Majors starred for the Volunteers from 1954-56. His No. 45 was retired by his alma mater in 2012—one of only eight to earn that distinction. He earned both SEC Player of the Year honors and All-SEC selection at tailback twice–in 1955 and 1956. He finished his Tennessee playing career with 1,622 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 387 carries while also completing 54.1 percent of his passes (80 for 148) for 1,135 yards and 11 scores. He rushed for 549 yards and seven touchdowns on 108 carries in 1956. A unanimous All-American in 1956, he finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the Vols to a 10-1 record, an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, and a No. 2 final ranking.

“This is an incredibly fitting tribute for Coach Majors, a true coaching legend who made such a lasting impact at both Pitt and Tennessee,” says Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi. “Every time I walk past our national championship display, I’m reminded—and inspired—by his legacy. He set high standards on and off the field during his incredible career.”

Majors’ list of coaching honors is extensive and includes the Walter Camp Coach of the Year Award, the AFCA Coach of the Year Award, the Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year Award, and an SEC Coach of the Year Award. Majors also orchestrated one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football history in leading Pitt to the 1976 national championship. His first prize recruit—Tony Dorsett—had a spectacular career at Pitt, which included being honored with college football’s most treasured award, the Heisman Trophy.

Majors spearheaded Tennessee to back-to-back SEC championships in 1989 and 1990. The 1989 season saw his squad reel off six consecutive wins to end the year, highlighted by a 31-27 win over No. 10 Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, which propelled the Vols to a No. 5 ranking in the final Associated Press poll.

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)